An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Tax Office building on Chancery Street.

I welcome this decision. The former Tax Office building site has in recent years been a magnet for anti social and criminal behavior in recent years. The Gardai and Dublin City Council have had to take action in that time to ensure the site is better secured to prevent it from being used as a home for drug use and intimidation. Owners of the site have assisted in this manner, especially in recent months.

Now that planning permission has been granted, I will continue to liaise with the site owners and local residents to ensure the redevelopment is advanced as quickly as possible but also in a way that does not negatively impact local householders. It is imperative that works take place immediately to clean up the site from an environmental perspective and remove drug materials and other items that may be on site.

The site owners have committed to me that this will now take place which will be followed by demolition, which is hoped will start within the next two to three weeks. Again, the site owners have committed that the contractors selected to undertake the demolition and subsequent construction works will engage directly with local residents in advance and throughout these works.

In all, I believe the redevelopment of the former Tax Office building is a welcome step for the Chancery Street area. However, as the local Councillor, I will continue to work with the site owners, selected contractors and residents to ensure these works do not disrupt or negative impact upon them and that this redevelopment is of benefit to all in the area.